4/4 Game Recap: Mets Drop Series Finale to Padres 2-1

This afternoon at Citi Field, the Mets came up just short in their attempt to sweep the Padres.  Dillon Gee‘s control was shaky, but he was able to hold the Padres to just one run on three hits during his six and a third innings of work.  The Mets did a nice job driving opposing starter Eric Stults‘ pitch count up early on (he threw 49 pitches over the first two innings), but they were unable to crack him and the game remained scoreless until the fourth.

Mar 3, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher

(35) throws during a spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

After a bloop hit from Mark Kotsay and a seeing eye single off the bat of Yonder Alonso, Jedd Gyorko chopped a double over the third base bag to give the Padres a 1-0 lead and put runners on first and second with only one out.  Gee was able to escape further damage, inducing a comebacker and a pop out to right field to end the inning.

The Mets threatened in the sixth, after a Justin Turner single and an Ike Davis walk put runners on first and second with one out.  However, they were unable to capitalize when Marlon Byrd and Lucas Duda both struck out.

Scott Rice relieved Dillon Gee with a runner on first and one out in the seventh.   After the Padres loaded the bases on a bloop to left and a flare between the mound and first base, Rice got Will Venable to ground to Ruben Tejada at short to end the threat.  The Mets threatened again in the seventh, but Justin Turner was unable to come through with runners on first and second and two outs, tapping out to pitcher Luke Gregerson.

In the eighth, the Padres increased their lead off Jeurys Familia.  The Mets’ righthander walked the first batter he faced before giving up a single to right field and a run scoring wild pitch that made it 2-0 San Diego.  Josh Edgin replaced Familia with a runner on second and one out and worked out of the jam.

The Mets drew within a run in the ninth when John Buck led off the inning with a solo homer off Huston Street that caromed off the facing of the second deck in left field to make it 2-1.  That’s as close as the Mets would get, as they ultimately fell 2-1 in the series finale.

Highlights:

• Dillon Gee got the start for the Mets and was solid over six and a third innings despite poor control (of his 90 pitches, 50 were strikes and 43 were balls).  It was Gee’s first regular season appearance since his 2012 season was cut short after a blod clot was discovered in his shoulder.  Gee allowed three hits and one run (all in the fourth inning, and all of the soft variety).

• Justin Turner got the start at second base and had a nice day at the plate, going 3 for 4.

• Lucas Duda and David Wright both struck out three times.  Duda was replaced by Jordany Valdespin on a double switch in the seventh.

• Scott Rice worked himself into and out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh.

• Jeurys Familia made his season debut in the eighth and pitched poorly.  He issued a leadoff walk before giving up a single and a run scoring wild pitch.  After inducing a foul out to first, he was replaced by Josh Edgin.

• Brandon Lyon tossed a perfect frame in the ninth.

• John Buck hit a long solo home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth.

Thoughts:

After a shaky first inning, Dillon Gee settled in.  However, his control was poor (he threw nearly as many balls as strikes), and his velocity was down (his fastball sat between 87 and 88 MPH).  Gee had a pretty poor spring training, and it’s hard to argue with today’s results.  Still, the lack of velocity is alarming.  Additionally, he’ll need to harness his control better moving forward.

I’m a huge fan of Jeurys Familia, but was puzzled when Terry Collins called for him to make his season debut in a 1-0 game in the eighth inning.  With everyone but Scott Rice available in the bullpen, opting for Familia was curious.  Familia was shaky, issuing a walk, single, and wild pitch that allowed the Padres to extend their lead to 2-0.  He gave way to Josh Edgin with a runner on second and one out.

Every loss is tough, and a sweep would’ve been tremendous.  Still, winning each series is the goal, and the Mets accomplished that by taking two of three from San Diego.  The starting pitching has been impressive thus far, and the Mets will turn to Jeremy Hefner, Jonathon Niese, and Aaron Laffey to keep that going when the Marlins arrive for a three game set beginning tomorrow night.

Next Up:

The Mets (2-1) face the Marlins (0-3) at Citi Field tomorrow night at 7:10 PM.  Jeremy Hefner gets the start for the Mets, opposed by Miami’s Alex Sanabia.  The game can be seen on SNY and heard on WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM,

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